More Than 1,000 Expected To Protest Rancho Mirage Gathering

A conservative strategy seminar set up by a pair of billionaire brothers whose opposition to President Barack Obama’s policies are well known is expected to draw as many as 1,000 protesters on Sunday in Rancho Mirage.

The Koch brothers, who have been accused of being anti-environment and have paid large amounts of money to conservative causes, plan to hold their annual meeting with other wealthy, politically-savvy associates at the Rancho Las Palmas Resort.

Their story was recently brought to light in a New Yorker article.

Just blocks away, and within eye-view, protesters and liberal politicians will begin their own gathering on Sunday at the Hilton Hotel.

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City officials called a special meeting at City Hall, this week, to prepare for the conference and the number of people expected to converge on the small area of town..

More police officers will be brought in to make sure nothing gets out of hand, according to city leaders.

Liberal groups began getting their message out on Friday. The organization Greenpeace, which just issued a new report on what they believe the Koch’s are really up to, flew their blimp over Rancho Mirage in the morning, only to be ordered down by the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department because they did not have a permit.

“The Kochs are polluting democracy with their dirty money, and that’s unacceptable,” said an unidentified Greenpeace volunteer.

Research fellow Connor Gibson, however, said he’s confident that the group’s point was made.

“They effectively use their money from their oil business to fund climate denial and public doubt about climate change,” Gibson said.

On Sunday, those liberal groups will hold their own forums at the Hilton. The lobbying group Common Cause will host a panel discussion on what they think might be discussed at the Koch’s meeting.

“We know that Eric Cantor, who is the number-two in the U.S House of Rrepresentatives from Virginia, a Republican, is coming to the conference,” said Rick Jacobs, Chairman and Founder of the Progressive Advocacy Group, Courage Campaign.

His organization, Common Cause and the California Nurses Association are leading the protest.

A spokesperson for Koch Industries released a statement on Sunday’s event:

“This conference brings together some of America’s greatest philanthropists and most successful business leaders whose companies have created millions of real jobs. Attendees will discuss solutions to our most pressing issues and strategies to promote policies that will help grow our economy.”

“The Koch brothers have funded Proposition 23, which was defeated by a huge margin because Californians believe in our environment,” said Jacobs. “They’re huge funders of the tea party. we don’t know how much, because its secret, but, they’re huge funders. We’ve read as much as $45 million.”

Economic analyst Morris Beshchloss said Koch Industries is the second largest privately owned company in the U.S. with strong ties to the oil industry.

“They respect their privacy, and that’s the way they are,” said Bechloss “I think it’s natural for whenever somebody is very private that some consider that to be secretive for a reason, which may or may not be true. I think it’s untrue in their case, from what I know about the company.”

The City of Rancho Mirage is prepared for hundreds, if not thousands, to show up in protest.The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department will have extra patrols in the area to make sure the protest is peaceful.